The expanse of what one will study at St. John's is impressive by itself: ancient Greek, Euclidean geometry, Shakespeare, Greek tragedies, parts of Western history, French language and literature, Ptolemaic astronomy, calculus, great novels, seminal experiments in physics, biology, and chemistry ... not to mention almost every prominent Western philosopher from 500 B.C. through our own era. But how this study is conducted is probably even more important. Every current student I have spoken to has said that their St. John's experience has made them a far, far better communicator, in all four facets of communication: writing, reading, speaking, and listening. For me personally, I'm expecting to learn a great deal about what it means to be a human being -- far more than I would learn at any other college.
Will enjoy being here
The campus is cozy, quiet, and in a great location at the foot of a mountain. The students, faculty, and staff are, in my experience, almost universally friendly and reasonable, intelligent people. Santa Fe itself is a beautiful, eclectic little city, with an extensive arts scene and activities for almost every type of person (though I speak as a devoted native :D ). It is NOT, however, your typical college town. Nightlife is generally nonexistent, or expensive beyond the means of college students. The campus social scene itself seems very nice -- though my experience in that field is limited thus far. Students I've talked to say that most people can find their niche, and end up with a group of close friends. (Roommate selection is excellently done from what I hear.) However, the report is that the campus can be a bit insular at times, so an occasional escape into town or beyond is useful for maintaining a sane balance.
Do you feel you’re getting value for the money you’re spending on college?
Expensive. Very expensive. However, financial aid seems remarkably liberal and helpful, so don't get turned off by the sticker price, since you will almost certainly be paying less than that. Also, the college has just started a $7500 grant for all New Mexico resident freshman, regardless of need.
Importantly, almost all of the seniors or recent graduates I have spoken to have told me that the experience was absolutely 100% worth it. Some have wished they could go do it all again, or that the program was longer than 4 years.
Also: the college does not offer any scholarships or aid based on merit. If you think you will need additional aid beyond what the school and the government will award, you will need to find outside money.
Do you have any tips for prospective students?
Most importantly, visit! The college is unique enough that a visit while it is in session is, in my opinion, critical to deciding if you would like it there. Call the admissions office 2-3 weeks ahead of time to schedule. They put together a fantastic two-day visit package that includes spending a night in the dorms, an informal meeting with a tutor (there are no professors per se), and sitting in on three or four classes. (Tips on auditing classes: you can listen, but you can't speak or sit at the table. Read the assigned seminar readings ahead of time so you can follow the discussion.) The tutors and admissions folks are very nice and laid-back, so there is no need to be stressed about the interviews. Also, be sure to talk to as many students as possible.
If you can, consider attending the Summer Academy for high school students. It's a good opportunity to experience participating in classes and living on campus for a whole week. Also, if you're a high school student in Santa Fe, you can attend any of their community seminars for free. (Those are mainly populated by older adults -- often veterans of the graduate program -- and the dynamic is a bit different, but they also let you get a feel for Johnnie methodology.)
Which types of students will excel at your college?
One who loves to read (and I mean loves as in does not go anywhere without at least one book). One who likes to think, but more importantly, likes to ask questions. Folks who take their education seriously; missing classes is a big no-no here. One who's smart, but not conceited about it. Curiosity is a big plus. One who's able to grasp (or at least grapple with) big ideas, even when uncomfortable. One who likes to think earnestly and deeply about difficult concepts, while still maintaining a sense of humor. And one who likes and agrees with the St. John's style of education (this is critical, hence the importance of the visit).
The expanse of what one will study at St. John's is impressive by itself: ancient Greek, Euclidean geometry, Shakespeare, Greek tragedies, parts of Western history, French language and literature, Ptolemaic astronomy, calculus, great novels, seminal experiments in physics, biology, and chemistry ... not to mention almost every prominent Western philosopher from 500 B.C. through our own era. But how this study is conducted is probably even more important. Every current student I have spoken to has said that their St. John's experience has made them a far, far better communicator, in all four facets of communication: writing, reading, speaking, and listening. For me personally, I'm expecting to learn a great deal about what it means to be a human being -- far more than I would learn at any other college.
The campus is cozy, quiet, and in a great location at the foot of a mountain. The students, faculty, and staff are, in my experience, almost universally friendly and reasonable, intelligent people. Santa Fe itself is a beautiful, eclectic little city, with an extensive arts scene and activities for almost every type of person (though I speak as a devoted native :D ). It is NOT, however, your typical college town. Nightlife is generally nonexistent, or expensive beyond the means of college students. The campus social scene itself seems very nice -- though my experience in that field is limited thus far. Students I've talked to say that most people can find their niche, and end up with a group of close friends. (Roommate selection is excellently done from what I hear.) However, the report is that the campus can be a bit insular at times, so an occasional escape into town or beyond is useful for maintaining a sane balance.
Expensive. Very expensive. However, financial aid seems remarkably liberal and helpful, so don't get turned off by the sticker price, since you will almost certainly be paying less than that. Also, the college has just started a $7500 grant for all New Mexico resident freshman, regardless of need. Importantly, almost all of the seniors or recent graduates I have spoken to have told me that the experience was absolutely 100% worth it. Some have wished they could go do it all again, or that the program was longer than 4 years. Also: the college does not offer any scholarships or aid based on merit. If you think you will need additional aid beyond what the school and the government will award, you will need to find outside money.
Most importantly, visit! The college is unique enough that a visit while it is in session is, in my opinion, critical to deciding if you would like it there. Call the admissions office 2-3 weeks ahead of time to schedule. They put together a fantastic two-day visit package that includes spending a night in the dorms, an informal meeting with a tutor (there are no professors per se), and sitting in on three or four classes. (Tips on auditing classes: you can listen, but you can't speak or sit at the table. Read the assigned seminar readings ahead of time so you can follow the discussion.) The tutors and admissions folks are very nice and laid-back, so there is no need to be stressed about the interviews. Also, be sure to talk to as many students as possible. If you can, consider attending the Summer Academy for high school students. It's a good opportunity to experience participating in classes and living on campus for a whole week. Also, if you're a high school student in Santa Fe, you can attend any of their community seminars for free. (Those are mainly populated by older adults -- often veterans of the graduate program -- and the dynamic is a bit different, but they also let you get a feel for Johnnie methodology.)
One who loves to read (and I mean loves as in does not go anywhere without at least one book). One who likes to think, but more importantly, likes to ask questions. Folks who take their education seriously; missing classes is a big no-no here. One who's smart, but not conceited about it. Curiosity is a big plus. One who's able to grasp (or at least grapple with) big ideas, even when uncomfortable. One who likes to think earnestly and deeply about difficult concepts, while still maintaining a sense of humor. And one who likes and agrees with the St. John's style of education (this is critical, hence the importance of the visit).